Make an Ocean Impact

Imagine a team of youth working together to create real-world contributions to ocean conservation in their communities. Each week they’ll connect virtually to discuss climate change, overfishing and plastic pollution, and build ideas for local improvement projects. This team will embark on extended expeditions to conservation hot spots across Canada, like British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii or Ontario’s Lake Superior. During these trips, they’ll start a community service project of their own design with local groups.

The best part is that this team is for real. Meet the new Ocean Bridge education initiative that will engage a diverse group of youth in innovative ocean-conservation service and leadership programs across Canada. The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, announced today in Ottawa that the Government of Canada is establishing a number of new youth-service initiatives across the country called Canada Service Corps. Ocean Bridge is one of the opportunities on offer, enabling 40 young Canadians (ages 18-30) to participate in a year-long program to co-create service projects for urban and wilderness settings.

“From coast to coast to coast, young Canadians will benefit from learning and service opportunities that have a positive impact on Canada’s oceans and coasts. This will help them become advocates on these issues in their communities and benefit generations to come,” said The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

Observing sea lions in Haida Gwaii. Photo Credit: Lindsay Janes

Ocean Bridge participants are selected through an online application process that will represent urban, rural, Northern and Southern Canadian geographies and indigenous perspectives. Through a multilingual online platform, these ocean ambassadors will discuss ocean conversation issues, build project ideas and receive individual coaching. Participants will also mentor 15- to 17- year-old in schools and youth groups to provide guidance and encouragement on ways they may contribute to their local communities. They will have access to additional funding, which will help put ideas into action. Plans could include local education and public programs, working to reduce plastic use in local businesses or getting more people to make sustainable choices when buying seafood.

“Our goal with this program is to foster a sense of stewardship in these young leaders. We will collaborate to generate ideas for collective impact, whether it’s a shoreline cleanup or a public workshop on ocean pollution, and put those plans into action to create a meaningful legacy across the country,” said James Bartram, vice-president for education and youth at Ocean Wise. “Ultimately, this experience will advance a culture of service that will help protect our oceans for many generations to come.”

“There is perhaps no one better to help guide our country’s national dialogue about ocean conservation than our own youth,” added John Nightingale, president and CEO of Ocean Wise. “They are the reason why we strive for a world where our oceans are healthy and flourishing and, through Ocean Bridge, they will have an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share ideas with one another and create a lasting impact in their communities.”

Holding up marine debris on a Haida Gwaii coastline, a property marker from a Japanese city affected by the tsunami.

Ocean Bridge is a multi-year program, and in 2019, a new group of youth participants will travel to Lake Superior Marine Conservation Area and to Ottawa for their extended service expedition. Ocean Wise recognizes the generosity of the Government of Canada, which has made this program possible.

To find out more about the program and application process, visit http://bridge.ocean.org. Ocean Bridge is funded by the Government of Canada under the Canada Service Corps.

About Ocean Wise education

Ocean Wise education engages youth globally through digital, in-person and mobile programs that encourage ocean literacy and foster a sense of stewardship from an early age. Through experiential and virtual learning, the award-winning programs have reached more than three million people over 60 years. Ocean Wise education connects students, teachers and communities to the ocean to create lifelong ocean ambassadors. www.ocean.org/education